Who we’re looking for

While I was at university, I started volunteering for a student helpline and I realised I had an ability to listen and support people without judgement. After graduating, I looked for work in this field and came across the Think Ahead programme which introduced me to the idea of mental health social work.

My degree was in Film and Literature so my friends were surprised that I chose mental health social work, but they’ve all been very encouraging.

Being on the programme has been a steep learning curve because I came straight from university into a professional environment, working with at-risk people where there’s a lot at stake.  However, I’ve been given support at every stage and I’m not on my own in making decisions.

I’m in a community mental health team that works with people who have depression, anxiety and personality disorders.

Being personable and able to relate to the service user is really important. There is only so much you can get from reading case notes; to be really good at this job, you need to be perceptive and be able to tune into what the service user needs. It is very rewarding when you are able to build a rapport and help someone recover.

One of the insights I’ve gained on the programme is that situations can change rapidly so you need to be able to adapt. You can make well thought out plans, but the nature of mental health means that things can turn around quickly. Instead of getting attached to a plan, you need to reassess the person’s needs in that present moment. It makes you think on your feet, which I enjoy.

I would definitely recommend the Think Ahead programme, especially to graduates who want to help individuals and society as a whole.

Arnold – University of Warwick graduate 

After almost two years practising law, I realised that it wasn’t the right career for me. I wanted to find a job where I could build relationships with individuals and make a real difference to their lives on a daily basis.

One of the things I enjoyed most at the start of the Think Ahead programme was that I was able to start working with people directly within the first few months. Working with different people in different situations means my day is never the same.

My work has included helping someone to prepare for a tribunal, and with another person, I advocated for them to get better accommodation and access to benefits.

Although mental health social work is different to law, there are some transferrable skills such as advocacy, negotiation, relationship-building and communication skills that have all been very useful.

I think a good mental health social worker needs to be non-judgmental and have strong listening skills rather than just talking to people; feeling listened to and being treated as an individual can completely change the way a person feels. It’s also important to stand up to injustice to ensure that everyone receives fair treatment.

Seeing the difference my interventions can make to an individual’s life has confirmed for me that I had made the right decision to leave law; I find that supporting individuals to live independent lives is incredibly rewarding.

In my opinion, mental health social work is like the missing piece of the treatment puzzle. For years, people with mental health problems have been treated with medication and psychiatric interventions – but there are aspects of a person’s life that these don’t touch. A person’s mental health cannot be considered in isolation. A mental health social worker looks at the whole person, their social circumstances and how it impacts on their mental health. It is these day-to-day aspects of their lives that can make a difference to their long term recovery.

Suzanne – University of Cambridge graduate

After studying Ancient History at university, I worked in the City as a head hunter for banks but I didn’t find this fulfilling. My second job was working with young people with learning difficulties, which I really enjoyed.

While I was there, I met a social worker who I found really inspiring. That was when I decided to go back into education to study Psychology. When I graduated, I applied for the Think Ahead programme because it offered the perfect opportunity to study for an MA while also being paid to work in mental health social work.

Being on the programme has given me the opportunity to work with people who have a wide range of mental health problems. The Think Ahead programme has given me a deeper understanding of the impact that mental health can have on both the individual and the people who care for them. I’ve also gained insight into the impact of housing, benefits, poverty and deprivation on people’s mental health, and the plight of some people in London.

What makes this programme stand out is that you are training with like-minded people who all want to achieve the same goals.

We are all driven by the desire to work in this sector and, if possible, help improve existing services for the benefit of our clients, utilising fresh ideas and new ways of working. Overall, we hope to have a lasting impact.

It is exciting to think that the work we are doing isn’t just confined to our team or even our region; it is happening all over England.

Jan – University of Edinburgh graduate

I was drawn to the Think Ahead programme following my degree in Psychology but also because of my own experience of mental health problems. I had first-hand experience of the important role professionals played in my own recovery from severe depression and the continued management of my bipolar disorder.

What I’ve enjoyed most on the programme is being able to build relationships with the people I work with, offering practical and emotional support. I get a lot of satisfaction from my work and seeing people’s situations improve. I can’t make a person change, they must want to do this themselves, but it does feel good to be part of that change; it’s what motivates me in this job.

I think mental health social work is really important because it offers a more holistic approach to people’s mental health problems. When I work with someone I can see the whole picture, rather than being focussed on just the medical or psychiatric aspects of their recovery. A person’s mental health is affected by the relationships in their life, and their socio-economic situation. My role is to try and address these types of issues.

I would definitely recommend the Think Ahead programme to people who want to get into the mental health sector. I’ve been given great support on the job, in my studies and from the other people on the programme who are really inspiring.

Matthew – University of Kent graduate

My interest in mental health partly comes from my personal family experience. My mother had severe mental health problems and, by supporting her through that, I saw first-hand how positive relationships can help.

After my Psychology degree, I knew I wanted to work in mental health and was drawn to the Think Ahead programme because of its holistic approach to social work. I’ve really enjoyed my experience – I’m getting the opportunity to learn evidence-based practice and I am given the time to look at research and theory, as well as reflect and gain feedback from the service users.

One element of the programme I’ve really appreciated is the level of support. I have weekly meetings with my manager and the three other trainees in my unit where I can discuss the people I’m working with, revise my practice and then review it again a few weeks later. I also have weekly supervision meetings where I can talk about anything I’ve been struggling with.

The other trainees are really supportive too and it’s inspiring to feel that, together, we’re going to make a difference to individuals, as well as mental health and social work more generally.

I am definitely planning to stay in this sector in future and would recommend Think Ahead – 100%. It’s the perfect balance between being thrown into the deep end of mental health social work and being supported, while also integrating study and working full-time.

Eleanor – Durham University graduate

I’ve always had a strong interest in mental health, but after my degree in Psychology and Neuroscience I ended up working in the pharmaceutical industry. Unfortunately I couldn’t find a passion this field, so I went back to studying and did a masters in Medical Anthropology, where I specialised in mental health. It really grew my interest – I enjoyed learning about the social and cultural aspects that affect people’s mental health.

Before I joined Think Ahead I was working for the Royal College of Psychiatrists doing research and auditing. I also volunteered at a small healthcare clinic in Bethnal Green, run by Doctors of the World. The clinic helps people who are struggling to access the NHS – often asylum-seekers and refugees. I would usually be the first person they saw at the clinic and would do health and social care assessments, refer them to a doctor or nurse if needed, and get them registered with a GP and educate them about what they’re entitled to.

In my volunteering I could see how much social situations can affect mental health. A lot of the people I met were struggling with their mental health but they didn’t know how to get help. Their problems were often linked to difficult backgrounds, or some had awful journeys to get to the UK.

I considered psychology and counselling, but I wanted to interact with people beyond the four walls of the therapy room. Social work is so holistic and practical. You get out and empower people by helping them with social issues like housing, employment, and building relationships. That’s how I want to help.

Sonya – University of Manchester graduate